Blog Archives

Sherlock Holmes – A Scandal in Belgravia

Posted on January 1, 2012
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Sherlock Holmes – A Scandal in Belgravia (Series 2, Episode 1 of 3)

So let me get this straight – oh where are my manners, happy new year everyone – according to Dr Watson, yes he of Sherlock Holmes fame (BBC One HD) all one has to do is begin a blog, write about crime, speckled blondes and such like, offer my services as a private detective and the hits will come? Simples! So here I am then, I’m now standing back as I watch a wave of adoring fans enter the blog, virtually of course – as I don my deerstalker hat for anonymity! Welcome one and all, you can of course contact me in the usual ways or if you prefer a one on one – I do charge of course – then I can be found along with my non deerstalking companion – Dr Watson – at 221B Baker Street. Series 2 is now available to pre order.

Sherlock Holmes starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman has once again returned to our screens in the UK, once again showing what the BBC does best – drama. Following the plaudits from series one it was always going to be hard following up such a successful debut but Paul McGuigan (Director) and his team have triumphed, makes no bones about it this is a classy performance.

A case of blackmail threatens to topple the monarchy itself, but soon Sherlock and John discover there is even more to it than that. They find themselves battling international terrorism, rogue CIA agents, and a secret conspiracy involving the British government.

But this case will cast a longer shadow on their lives than they could ever imagine, as the great detective begins a long duel of wits with an antagonist as cold …

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Lucky Man: A Memoir by Michael J Fox (2002) – Audio Book Review

Posted on March 31, 2011
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The overriding emotion I felt upon listening to Michael J Fox’s “Lucky Guy” – my first audio book – was complete and utter admiration for the actor, the father and the husband.

I’ve had this audio cd for a few years and never quite found the time to sit down and listen to it all the way through, something far more important – as I saw it anyway – always cropped up! Listening to a cd should be a breeze shouldn’t it? I was taken aback by the sincerity and emotion that emanated from the cd; pleased that Michael came across so unforced and honest, delighted that I felt part of his account as I do with most books I read.

Michael, better known for his role as Marty McFly in the movie trilogy “Back to the Future” and as Alex P. Keaton in TV’s phenomenon “Family Ties” – (although I have to admit I hardly watched the television show, I was more a “Spin City” fan myself) – is now known as a highly influential spokesman for Parkinson’s disease(UK Link). Diagnosed in 1991 with the debilitating disease, he claims in the audio book that the ten years since his diagnosis “have been the best years of my life“.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta on the 9th June 1961, the Canadian was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada last year – no mean feat considering the knockbacks he has faced over the years.

The decision to cast him as Alex Keaton in “Family Ties” wasn’t unanimous. Created by Gary David Goldberg the powers that be at NBC weren’t enamoured with the casting but Goldberg stuck to his guns and the management finally capitulated – the rest as they say is history …

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Doctor Who: The Only Good Dalek – book review

Posted on October 17, 2010
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With a slight change of pace from the usual crime fiction and horror-thriller reviews, actually not slight at all, this is a huge change of pace and style – I set about reading and gorging over “Doctor Who: The Only Good Dalek”, a sumptuous and beautiful graphic novel from Mike Collins (Artist) and Justin Richards (Author).

A little background on the men behind this project; Mike Collins is the main artist behind the highly successful Doctor Who Magazine comic strip stories. Collins has illustrated every Doctor Who from the seventh (Sylvester McCoy) to the current Eleventh (Matt Smith) and believe me, his talents know no bounds as this graphic novel testifies.

Justin Richards has written numerous Doctor Who stories including The Resurrection Casket, Martha and the mirror and The Deviant Strain to name but a few. Richards is also the creative director of the BBC Books range.

Doctor Who and Amy (played by Karen Gillan in the tv series) have arrived, un-detected, at Station 7. A secret storage facility that houses Varga Plants, Slyther, Robomen and a Solidified Magneton – oh and did I mention the multi coloured Daleks? No? How remiss of me! The deadly Daleks are back in all their colourful glory.

Not only is Station 7 a storage facility but it’s a research station where all captured technology and prisoners from the war between Earth and the Daleks are sent for analysis and interrogation.  Unfortunately for the Earth forces, the Daleks have somehow found out about Station 7 and there’s something they want back! The abomination!

Their only real defence was anonymity and now that that has gone, defending Station 7, an old Ore station, has become problematic. Without weapons they only have one option; convert the Daleks into friendly Daleks and attack their own …

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Gamu Nhengu axed from X Factor over concerns with Visa?

Posted on October 5, 2010
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I’ve often sat and wondered whether shows like “The X Factor” were contrived off set. Do the judges and producers get together in a small comfortable room, glass of wine in hand and discuss the show before it airs?

There have always been controversies, shock eliminations and judges deciding to vote off a contestant for inane reasons but for me, Gamu’s omission from the final 12 has to be one of the very worse.

Who could forget Dannii Minogue’s comment on Danyl Johnson’s sexuality, footage of Simon Cowell and Osbourne to coach the contestants to argue with the judges, Osbourne and Walsh with tactical voting (no shock there) and Walsh threatening to walk out after Osbourne threw a glass of water over the leprechaun – publicity stunt anyone?!

It’s all about ratings and with Strictly doing well (despite Alesha Dixon!), it’s obvious the producers will do anything to keep people watching.

How can a singer, arguably one of the best in the competition, be left out of the final 12? Although I have a great deal of admiration for Cher Lloyd, both she and Katie Weissels performed poorly in the final audition. A Facebook campaign to reinstate Gamu is available for those who wish to complain!

It often amuses me how the judges claim during a live show sing off “I’m going to judge it on this one performance” – so what happened Cheryl? Were you nobbled? Were you told not to include Gamu in your top 3?

A source said: “It was made clear Gamu shouldn’t go through because of the visa. Cheryl didn’t have a say.”

Hundreds of viewers complained to ITV at the axing. The Mirror Reports

On Sunday, more than 16.2 million viewers – a record for this stage of The X Factor – saw Cheryl …

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The X Factor – Final 12 – what?!!!!

Posted on October 3, 2010
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The X Factor aired this evening; the final 32 became the final 12 courtesy of heart-breaking decisions from Dannii, Louis, Simon and Cheryl.

On the whole I think they got it just about right. Louis really didn’t have a great deal to choose from and more or less got it right – and I’m no fan of the little Irish leprechaun!

Dannii sitting at home in Australia made a wild card decision choosing Italian born Nicolo – why on earth did you pick him Dannii? Unbelievable decision and for once I didn’t agree with her top 3. Who’s going to vote for him? He is an unlikeable diva!

I’ll gloss over Simon’s top 3 as I really don’t have much of an opinion over the groups. I’m sure they’ll do ok and the young McFly wannabees (minus the instruments) will go far.

Over the last season or two I have really come to admire Cheryl Cole but I can’t help thinking she has made a huge, yes a HUGE mistake putting Katie Waissel through at the expense of Gamu Nhengu. Who is going to vote for the diva? She’s not exactly likeable! A drama queen hell-bent on making it to the top no matter how she gets there.

I just hope that with the “big twist” next week when 4 discarded hopefuls are given a second chance, the public will vote Gamu in.

That said, I was happy with Cheryl’s other two choices and think Cher Lloyd will prove to be a quirky addition to the show. Her tonsillitis was unfortunate but she was always going to make the final 12 – you could see that following her initial performance.

Disappointed with Gamu’s omission but the show must go on.

The Final 12

Boyband FYD, newly-formed 1 Direction…

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DI Banks – Aftermath on ITV

Posted on September 27, 2010
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Forget ballooning around Australia, Stephen Tomkinson returned to our television screens tonight in the new ITV drama series DCI Banks: Aftermath. The first of a two part pilot series kicked off with a bang, domestic abuse, a copious amount of blood and four bodies in a cellar.

You really can’t ask for much more can you?!!! Episode 2 Summary Here (contains Spoilers)

I heard about the production following my review of Robinson’s latest Bank book called Bad Boy – where Banks’s daughter Tracy has fallen for the wrong boy. Her flatmate’s boyfriend is good-looking, ambitious, and surrounded by an intoxicating air of mystery. He’s also very dangerous.

Produced by Left Bank Pictures and based on the novel Aftermath by crime writer Peter Robinson, the series was shot in Yorkshire earlier this year.

Aftermath tells the story of an ordinary house in an ordinary street, which is about to become infamous. When two young police constables are sent to the house following a report of a domestic disturbance, they stumble upon a truly horrific scene.

When they fail to get a reply, the young WPC peers through the letterbox and discovers a blood-stained body lying on the floor.  Lucy Payne is close to death and while an ambulance is called the two constables search the cellar only to find a locked door and a shadow blocking out the light.

Breaking down the door they come face to face with a serial killer (Marcus Payne) who runs at the constables erratically wielding a machete. Within seconds PC Morrissey‘s neck has been slashed twice and is crumpled on the floor dying, with self-preservation key the WPC brandishes her baton and Marcus Payne is left in a coma.

It’s a rather frenetic start to the series and although the action doesn’t continue throughout …

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Good Morning San Francisco, it’s 7am and it’s a beautiful morning

Posted on September 11, 2010
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It’s been a very long week this week and I decided to take a well-earned night off from rowing in my gym and took time out to relax, read a book (Deadlock by Sean Black) and watch the very last big brother on Channel 4. Over the last few years, after being an avid Big Brother viewer I’ve been watching less and less – frustrated by an ever increasing amount of producer manipulation and the silly antics from Davina McCall.

With that in mind and the fact I’d given myself the night off I thought I had to watch at least some of the finale as it had at one time or another given me a few hours of entertainment over the years, especially Big Brother 5. I enjoyed it to a certain degree. It hadn’t changed, still contrived and predictable but in fairness the British public got it right – Brian Dowling was and is the ultimate housemate.

I woke up early this morning and I was out of the door by 7:05 am and on my way to the shops to collect a few essentials I couldn’t be bothered getting last night in the torrential rain and low level fog hanging over the mountain.

Now I’ve never been one to get sucked in to subliminal or clever marketing ploys, I am my own man. I know what I want and don’t need multi-million dollar commercials to tell me what that is. However, over the last few weeks a new Tropicana commercial has been airing, you know the one, set in the great city of San Francisco.

“Good Morning San Francisco, it’s 7am and it’s a beautiful morning”

If the Video fails to load then please visit the direct link to the Tropicana Video …

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The Killing Place by Tess Gerritsen – Book Review

Posted on August 27, 2010
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I have a confession to make! I had never heard of Rizzoli and Isles until I began watching the television series (July 12th on TNT in the United States). Starring Angie Harmon as Jane Rizzoli and Sasha Alexander as Dr Maura Isles, I discovered the series was based on novels by Tess Gerritsen.

With that in mind and thanks to the wonderful publicists at Transworld Publishers, Gerritsen’s latest novel “The Killing Place” landed, ready for me to review.

Despite having watched six episodes of the TV show I decided to the best way to attack the book was to start afresh, forgetting everything I knew from what I’d seen on TNT. I always find a book gives you so much more depth and insight into a character’s mind and personality than the small/big screen could ever do. So with that in mind and En Vogue’s mantra “Free your mind and the rest will follow” playing in my head I turned to page one and began a new journey!

Dr Maura Isles is in Wyoming for a medical conference where she meets up with an old acquaintance (Doug). Over dinner, he invites her on a short trip with his daughter and two friends before she is due to head back to Boston, back home to a strained relationship with Father Daniel Brophy. She decides the time is right for a little spontaneity and accepts his invitation meeting up with the group the following morning.

Hours into the journey they realise they are desperately lost following an incorrect instruction from “Lola” the GPS navigator. With the snow fall intensifying they are forced off the road and end up sideways in a ditch. The road is deserted and no recent sign of life exists and so they abandon the vehicle …

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Cheryl Cole happy and Gamu Jazz’s the X Factor

Posted on August 22, 2010
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It was good to see Cheryl Cole back on our screens last night following her serious fight against Malaria last month. I’ve always been indifferent to Cheryl’s multiple appearances on tv and in the papers but I have to admit, over the last year or so, I’ve warmed up to the Geordie girl and would probably miss her style on X Factor if she had been forced to quit.

The X Factor Final 12 – Spoiler Here

Louis Walsh on the other hand – I wouldn’t miss at all! I’d love to see him replaced, he’s nothing more than a Leprechaun – or is that disparaging to Leprechaun’s?!!

In today’s paper “The People” it runs an exclusive report on Cheryl’s new found happiness following her split from husband Ashley, the 27-year-old insists that she has never been happier.

Cheryl’s first Official book is launched next month titled “Through My Eyes“.

She told The People: “I’ve got so much to look forward to in the next few months. I’ve never felt happier.”

Cheryl has now fully recovered from the disease that left her hospitalised. Friends said that the singer now feels ready to move on from the pain of her marriage break-up.

A source said: “Cheryl’s saying I feel like I’ve turned my life around.

“She says she’s looking at doors opening for her in her life over the next few months. She is excited about starting this whole new chapter in her life.

“It’s great to see her looking and feeling good again after all that she’s been through.

“She is talking excitedly about starting work on The X Factor again and the release of a pop single.”

They added: “But she seems particularly relieved about the way her divorce is progressing. There is no time frame here. …

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Sherlock “The Great Game” episode 3 summary / review

Posted on August 8, 2010
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Slick as you like, Sherlock’s third and final episode (of this series) called “The Great Game” was a triumph of detection and intrigue. Sherlock has 12 hours to solve a riddle or an innocent woman dies. But who is behind the bomb threats?

If you’ve missed any or all these magnificent episodes then you can catch up by ordering the DVD or Bluray discs out on the 30th August – pre order now

Sherlock Holmes is bored! Sitting in his flat at 221b Baker Street Sherlock and Watson have a heated discussion about Watson’s blog and his report of the taxi case. Watson dubbed the case “A study in Pink” and Sherlock took a dislike to how he was portrayed in the blog,

“Sherlock sees through everything and everyone in seconds, what’s incredible though is how spectacularly ignorant he is about some things”

Watson leaves the flat and we are introduced to Mrs Hudson (Una Stubbs) a little earlier in this episode when she comments on Watson’s walk out

“You too had a little domestic?”! Two minutes later an explosion rocks Baker Street and a new case is born. The bomber sends Sherlock a pink iPhone and verbal contact is made through the woman strapped to a bomb in a car park.

Molly’s attempt to forget Sherlock fails dismally when her new “office romance” turns out to be gay who leaves his telephone number for Holmes in the vain hope of the great detective calling him.

It turns out that the case is related to a cold case from twenty years ago, a case Holmes tried to get the police involved but they weren’t interested. A champion swimmer named Karl Powers drowned in a school pool; everyone thought it was a tragic accident. Everyone bar Sherlock Holmes. …

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Sherlock (BBC) on DVD and Bluray

Posted on August 8, 2010
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With a release date of August 30th, the Sherlock DVD or Sherlock HD (Bluray) is a must purchase for any Sherlock fan. Did you miss an episode? If so this is your chance to catch up on the best drama to hit the BBC for a number of years.

Update: Both DVD and Bluray are now available to buy

A contemporary take on the classic Arthur Conan Doyle stories, Sherlock is a thrilling, funny, fast-paced adventure series set in present-day London. Co-created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the new Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his loyal friend, Doctor John Watson. Rupert Graves plays Inspector Lestrade.

John Watson: doctor, soldier, war hero, lost soul. Fresh from fighting the war in Afghanistan, a chance encounter brings him into the world of Sherlock Holmes: loner, detective, genius. A woman in pink lies murdered in an abandoned house.

The fifth victim of a seemingly motiveless killer. Inspector Lestrade is the best Scotland Yard has got. But he knows he’s nothing compared to a young man called Sherlock. Sherlock can tell a software designer by his tie, an airline pilot by his thumb. He has a unique analytical brain unlike anyone else in the world, who earns his living and staves off boredom by solving crimes. The weirder and more baffling the better…Sherlock on Bluray

The two men couldn’t be more different, but Sherlock’s inspired leaps of intellect coupled with John’s pragmatism soon forge an unbreakable alliance. Across three, 90 minute, thrilling, scary, action-packed and highly entertaining television movies, Sherlock and John navigate a maze of cryptic clues and lethal killers to get at the truth.

The world’s favourite detective has come out of the fog. With sparkling scripts and unforgettable performances from the two leads, …

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Sherlock – The Great Game Episode 3

Posted on August 3, 2010
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Sunday sees the third (The Great Game) and final episode in the current Sherlock series, brought to you by the BBC. The Sherlock DVD which features all three episodes is out later this month.

Episode 3 Summary Here

Very little information regarding the final episode is currently available but I’ll be bringing you another episodic review following its transmission on Sunday night (BBC One and BBC HD) at 21:00. The one and only repeat planned this week is on the HD channel at 0035 in the early hours of Monday morning so don’t forget to set SKY+!

A strange clue in an empty room, a blood-soaked car, a priceless Old Master, a deranged bomber. With the clock ticking, the curtain rises on a battle of wits between Sherlock, John and the shadowy stranger who seems to know all the answers…

Will Sherlock prevail? You’ll have to tune in to find out!

Episode Reviews Available:-

A Study in Pink          Review

The Blind Banker        Review

Full Cast Listing for “The Great Game”

Benedict Cumberbatch … Sherlock Holmes

Martin Freeman…       Doctor John Watson

Rupert Graves …         DI Lestrade

Una Stubbs     …         Mrs Hudson

Loo Brealey    …         Molly Hooper (as Louise Brealey)

Zoe Telford     …         Sarah

Vinette Robinson…     Sgt Sally Donovan

Jeany Spark     …         Homeless Girl

Doug Allen     …         Joe

Haydn Gwynne…       Miss Wenceslas

John Sessions  …         Kenny Prince

David Ryall     …         Lord Huxley

Deborah Moore…        Crying Woman

Lynn Farleigh  …         Professor Cairns

Lauren Crace   …         Lucy

Rita Davies     …         Blind Lady

San Shella       …         Alan West

Caroline Trowbridge…Mrs Monkford

Di Botcher      …         Connie Prince

Matthew Needham… Bezza

Alison Lintott …         Julie

Kemal Sylvester…       Tube Guard

Stefano Braschi…        Raoul

John Lebar      …         Golem…

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Sherlock’s “The Blind Banker” Episode 2 review

Posted on August 2, 2010
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It’s all about the Orient! From the very beginning, you could tell “The Blind Banker” was going to be another slick episode of Sherlock Holmes from the Oriental tea making to Watson’s troubles with the self-shopping aisle hurling abuse at the machine when faced with an annoying automated voice. The Sherlock DVD is going to be unmissable.

“Item not scanned, item not scanned, please scan item again”, Watson slightly embarrassed at his lack of shopping experience replies “can you please keep your voice down?” and to top it off when he finally manages to scan his last item of shopping  the machine has another go….

”Card not authorised please use an alternative payment method, card not authorised please use an alternative payment method” to which he quips “alright I get it” and storms out without his shopping! All the while Sherlock is back at Baker Street fending off a masked swordsman hell bent on killing the detective!

Ratings for episode 2 follow this review.

If you missed tonight’s episode then catch it while you can on the BBC iPlayer in HD.

On his return to the flat he informs Sherlock he failed to get the shopping telling him he had a row with a chip and pin machine! Haven’t we all Watson, haven’t we all!

The real story begins when Sherlock and Watson visit a high end bank in the heart of London. One of their offices has been broken into overnight and the intruder has left a calling card of yellow graffiti. Nothing appears to have been stolen. Sherlock investigates in a way only he can. Following on from “A study in Pink” Benedict Cumberbatch gives a stellar performance with his amazingly quick dialogue. How this …

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BBC’s Sherlock, episode 2 “The Blind Banker”

Posted on July 28, 2010
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Following a highly successful opening with “A Study in Pink” Sherlock Holmes returns to the BBC this Sunday with the second of three episodes, this one called “The Blind Banker”.

FULL EPISODE REVIEW HERE

The second episode is written by Stephen Thompson and produced by Sue Vertue; Steven Moffat’s wife. Once again Benedict Cumberbatch stars as the enigmatic Sherlock Holmes with The Office star Martin Freeman. If you missed the first episode you can still catch it on the BBC iPlayer but hurry,  it won’t be there forever!

A mysterious cipher is being scrawled on the walls around London. The first person to see the cipher is dead within hours of reading it. Sherlock plunges into a world of codes and symbols, consulting with London’s best graffiti artists. He soon learns that the city is in the grip a gang of international smugglers, a secret society called the Black Lotus.

So what are we expecting this time around? More slick dialogue, great acting and a decent storyline? If the first episode is anything to go by then the answer to all of the above is a “hell yeah”! Sherlock has received wide acclaim and is fast becoming one of the biggest hits the BBC has had on its hands for quite some time.

As estimated 7.5 million viewers watched A study in pink which closely followed Conan Doyle’s A study in scarlet and to be frank I’m expecting an increase in viewers this time round now that word is out.…

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